ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Home Affairs
The Union Home Ministry began tripartite talks today with the Gorkha representatives from the Darjeeling Hills, Terrai and Dooars region and the Government of West Bengal.
The Union Home Ministry began tripartite talks today with the Gorkha representatives from the Darjeeling Hills, Terrai and Dooars region and the Government of West Bengal. The talks aimed at resolving the issues related to the Gorkhas were chaired by the Union Minister of Home Affairs, Shri Amit Shah. The Gorkha delegation was led by Darjeeling MP Shri Raju Bisht and highlighted various issues concerning the Gorkhas and the region.
The Union Home Minister listened to all the parties concerned and has decided to call for the second round of talks in the presence of the senior officials of the Government of West Bengal in November 2021. The West Bengal Government has been specifically asked to send their senior officials for the next round of talks. The all-round development and prosperity of the Darjeeling hills, Terrai and Dooars region is the top most priority of the Modi Government.
The meeting was also attended by the Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai, the Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Member of Parliament from Alipurdwar Shri John Barla, the Union Home Secretary Shri Ajay Bhalla, Secretary Ministry of Tribal Affairs Anil Kumar Jha, the Registrar General of India Dr. Vivek Joshi, the Principal Resident Commissioner of West Bengal Shri Krishna Gupta and other senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs. On behalf of the Gurkhas, the delegation comprised of the Darjeeling MLA Neeraj Zimba, Kurseong MLA B.P. Bajgain, Kalchini MLA Bishal Lama, GNLF Chief Mann Ghising, CPRM Chief R.B. Rai, GoRaNiMo Chief Dawa Pakhrin, ABGL Chief Pratap Khati and SuMuMo Chief Bikash Rai.
Ministry of Coal
Ministry of Coal Notifies rules for 50% Sale of Coal from Captive Mines
Move to Benefit over 100 Captive Coal and Lignite Blocks with over 500 Million Ton per Annum Peak Rated Capacity
The Ministry of Coal has amended Mineral Concession Rules, 1960 with a view to allowing sale ofcoal or lignite, on payment of additional amount, by the lessee of a captive mine up to 50 percent of the total coal or lignite produced in a financial year, after meeting the requirement ofthe end use plant linked with the mine. Earlier this year, the Mines and Minerals  Amendment Act had been amended to this effect. This is applicable for both the private and public sector captive mines.
With this amendment, the Government has paved the way for releasing of additional coal inthe market by greater utilization of mining capacities of captive coal and lignite blocks,which were being only partly utilized owing to limited production of coal for meeting their captive needs. Availability of additional coal will ease pressure on power plants and will alsoaid in import-substitution of coal.The allowance for sale prescribed quantity of coal or lignite shall also motivate the lessees to enhance the production from the captive mines. Further, payment of additional premium amount, royalty and other statutory payments in respect ofthe quantity of coal or lignite sold shall boost the revenue of the State Governments. The move is likely to benefit over 100 captive coal and lignite blocks with over 500 million tonper annum Peak Rated Capacity as well as all coal and lignite bearing States.
The Government has also made provisions for grant of mining lease to a Government company or corporation for coal or lignite for a period of fifty years. Grant of mining leasesfor a period of fifty years shall boost seamless continuous production of coal or lignite by the Government companies or corporations contributing to the coal/lignite security of the nation.The said period of fifty years can be extended by period of twenty years at a time upon anapplication made to the State Government. Therefore, enlargement of period of mining leases shall reduce multiplicity of applications for extensions, thereby ensuring continuity in mining operations.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Sports Ministry sanctions Rs 5 lakh to family of deceased footballer Manitombi Singh
The Sports Ministry on Friday sanctioned Rs 5 lakh to the family of deceased Manipuri Footballer Manitombi Singh with an effort to ease the financial crisis of the family.
Manitombi, who died on August, 2020 at the age of 39, was the only earning member of his family and is survived by his wife and a son. Speaking about the decision, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri. Kiren Rijiju said, "Manitombi has contributed significantly to Indian football. He also contributed as a coach in Manipur. His demise is indeed a loss for the sporting community. When we learnt about the financial crisis that the family is facing after his death, extending support to them was a duty upon us. It is of prime importance for the Government to support all our athletes, past and present, as well as those who have dedicated their life to sport as coaches, sports administrators, support staff and in similar roles."
The grant of Rs 5 lakh was sanctioned under the Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for sportspersons. The sports ministry has been consistently helping athletes in need of financial support through this fund, and invites athletes and others who have worked in the field of sport, to apply for financial assistance through this scheme.
Prime Minister's Office
India-Italy Virtual Summit 
A Virtual Bilateral Summit between Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Italy Prof. Giuseppe Conte was held on 6th November, 2020.
Prime Minister Modi recalled the 2018 visit of Prof. Giuseppe Conte to India and appreciated the rapid growth in India-Italy relationship in recent past. Prime Minister Prof. Conte extended invitation to Prime Minister Modi to visit Italy as soon as conditions permit.
The Summit provided an opportunity to the two leaders to comprehensively review the broad framework of the bilateral relationship. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen cooperation against common global challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic.
The leaders discussed a wide range of issues including political, economic, scientific & technological, space and defence cooperation. On regional and international issues, both sides agreed to coordinate closely at multilateral fora especially G-20. Italy will assume the Presidency of G-20 in December 2021 followed by India in 2022. Together, India and Italy will be part of the G20 Troika from December, 2020. India welcomed Italy’s decision to join ISA as soon as the ratification process is completed.
15 MoUs/Agreements in various sectors such as energy, fisheries, ship building, design etc. were signed coinciding with the Summit.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves MoU on passenger cruise services on the coastal and protocol routes between India and Bangladesh
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved MoU on passenger cruise services on the coastal and protocol routes between India and Bangladesh for starting regular movement of passengers and tourists in water crafts between the two countries.
The operationalization of this MoU will promote people to people contact and cooperation between the two countries in respect of economic, social and cultural advancement. It will also generate employment opportunities for the people of India and Bangladesh.
President's Secretariat
President of India’s Greetings on the eve of Onam
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind in his message on the eve of Onam has said :-
“On the auspicious occasion of Onam, I extend my heartiest congratulations to all my fellow citizens especially to brothers and sisters of Kerala.
The festival of Onam is a symbol of our rich cultural heritage. It is also an expression of our gratitude to Mother Nature at the arrival of new crop.
In the times of Covid-19 pandemic, while celebrating festivals, we must take care of people from the weaker sections of the society and take adequate measures to protect and safeguard our families and society at large.
May this festival strengthen the sense of cooperation and brotherhood in our country and pave the way for prosperity while living in harmony with Mother Nature”.
Click here to see President's Message in Hindi
Ministry of Home Affairs
One Day State Mourning tomorrow as a mark of respect on the passing away of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait
His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Amir of the State of Kuwait, passed away on September 29, 2020. As a mark of respect to the departed dignitary, the Government of India has decided that there will be one day’s State Mourning tomorrow throughout India.
The National Flag will be flown at half mast on all buildings throughout India where it is flown regularly and there will be no official entertainment on the day.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Government has initiated the process for comprehensive amendments to criminal laws
The Department–related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, in its 146th Report had recommended that there is a need for a comprehensive review of the Criminal Justice System of the country. Earlier the Parliamentary Standing Committee in its 111th and 128th Reports had also stressed upon the need to reform and rationalize the criminal law of the country by introducing a comprehensive legislation in Parliament rather than bringing about piece meal amendments in respective Acts. With a view to make comprehensive changes in the criminal laws of the country to provide affordable and speedy justice to all, create a people centric legal structure, the Government has initiated the process for comprehensive amendments to criminal laws viz. Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 in consultation with all stakeholders.
A Committee had been constituted under the Chairpersonship of the Vice Chancellor, National Law University, Delhi to suggest reforms in the Criminal laws. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also sought suggestions from Governors, Chief Ministers of States, Lieutenant Governors  and Administrators of Union Territories, Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, Hon’ble Chief Justices of various High Courts, Bar Council of India, Bar Council of various States, various Universities/ Law Institutes and all Members of Parliament regarding comprehensive amendments in criminal laws. The Government is committed to bring out a comprehensive legislation taking into account the recommendations of the Committee and the suggestions received from all the stakeholders. The legislation of such laws is a complex and lengthy exercise given the spectrum of divergent views of stakeholders. The entire procedure is a long drawn out one and no time-limit can be fixed or given for this legislative process.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Ajay Kumar Mishra in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
15th G20 Leaders’ Summit 
At the invitation of His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will be attending the 15th G20 Summit chaired by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the theme "Realising the Opportunities of 21st Century for All” on 21-22 November 2020. The meeting will be held in a virtual format.
The upcoming summit is the second G 20 Leaders’ meeting in 2020. Following the telephonic conversation between PM and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, the last G 20 Extraordinary Leaders’ summit was held in March 2020, where the leaders developed a timely understanding among the G20 countries to help contain the spread of the COVID 19 pandemic and to forge a global coordinated response.
The focus of the upcoming G20 Summit will be on an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable recovery from the COVID-19. During the G 20 Summit, the leaders will discuss pandemic preparedness and the ways and means to restore jobs. The leaders will also share their vision for building an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient future.
India will enter the G20 Troika, along with Saudi Arabia when Italy will take over the Presidency of the G-20 on 1st December, 2020.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
38.76 Cr. Vaccine Doses administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
3,01,04,720 total recoveries across the country so far
Recovery Rate increases to 97.28%
41,000 patients recovered during last 24 hours
India reports 38,792 new cases in last 24 hours
India's Active Caseload currently at 4,29,946
Active cases constitute 1.39% of total cases
Weekly Positivity Rate remains below 5%, currently at 2.25%
Daily positivity rate at 2.10%, less than 3% for 23 consecutive days
Testing capacity substantially ramped up – 43.59 cr tests total conducted
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Steps being taken by the Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare for smooth harvesting of Rabi Crop and sowing of summer crop
Measures to ensure farmers do not suffer during the lockdown period
For ensuring that the farmers do not suffer from any adverse fall out during the lockdown period, the Department of Agriculture Cooperation and Farmers Welfare, Government of India is taking several measures for smooth harvesting of Rabi Crop and sowing of summer crop.
Video conference was conducted with all States and Insurance companies to review the payment of claims, status of Conduct of CCEs for Rabi 2019-20 crops, crop loss survey and implementation of Smart Sampling Technique.
For facilitating farm insurance, letters issued to all States to issue passes to representatives of concerned Insurance companies for co-witnessing Crop Cutting Experiments and to relax the norms for conducting field level survey for intimation received for Post-Harvest crop losses due to unseasonal rainfall and hailstorm.
Phytosanitary certification for export consignments and Import releases of plant and plant products are continuing. From the date of lockdown i. e. 24.03.2020 to 02.04.2020, a total of 3776 PSCs have been issued for export consignments and 1074 import consignments have been released.
For providing support to horticulture crops necessary coordination is being done with growers, aggregators, wholesalers, mandi associations, State Horticulture Missions, for smooth transport of the commodities and to sort out all difficulties.
In lockdown period, Kisan Call Centres at all 21 locations are being operated by diverting calls to individual mobile numbers of Farm Tele Advisors, who are now operating from homes. All 454 KCC seats are being operated daily between 6 AM to 10 PM. Call flow is about 15,000 to 20,000 per day.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Government has spent over 65 crores on men’s hockey team during last five years: Shri Anurag Thakur
Government has spent over 65 crores on men’s hockey team during last five years. An amount of Rs. 45.05 crore has been spent on Senior Hockey Men's team and Rs. 20.23 crore on Junior Hockey Men’s Team towards coaching camps, foreign competitions, domestic competitions, salary of coaches, equipment etc., during the last five years, i.e., 2016-17 to 2020-21.
Further, 20 infrastructure projects worth Rs. 103.98 crore for hockey have been sanctioned under Khelo India Scheme since 2016-17.
This information was given by Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Thakur in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
UIDAI REGIONAL OFFICE HYDERABAD OPENS NEW GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL CENTRE
The Regional Office Hyderabad of the Unique Identification Authority of India  has opened a new 'Grievance Redressal Centre', in sync with the focus on resident centricity, and commitment to deliver better experience to Aadhaar holders.
The RO Hyderabad caters to the Aadhaar related services to residents of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and union territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. On an average, 200 residents visit the RO Hyderabad office for redressal of their grievances.
The fully air conditioned centre is equipped with all the basic facilities for visiting residents including adequate sitting arrangements, wheel chairs, and CCTV surveillance. The centre has been designed keeping in view requirements of the specially-abled residents, and senior citizens.
Dr. Saurabh Garg, CEO, UIDAI appreciated the efforts put in by RO Hyderabad for improving the service experience of residents. Dr Garg highlighted that there is a continuous growth in Aadhaar's adoption and usage across sectors. He underlined that UIDAI and all its offices are committed to resident’s welfare.
Cumulatively, UIDAI has issued over 1.36 billion Aadhaars so far. On an average, 70 million Aadhaar authentication transactions are happening per day, indicative of how it is facilitating ease of living for residents.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Status of Avian Influenza in the country
Till 27thJanuary, 2021 outbreaks of Avian Influenza  have been confirmed in 9 States  for poultry birds and in 12 States  for Crow/Migratory/ Wild birds.
Avian Influenza has been confirmed in poultry samples from Nanded, Solapur, Pune, Ahmednagar, Buldhana, Akola, Nashik and Hingoli districts of Maharashtra; Bhavnagar district of Gujarat and Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh.
Further, Avian Influenza has been confirmed in crow in Uttarakhand ; inTitar in Junagad and inpeacock in Beed .
Control and Containment Operations  are going on in the affected epicentres of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat.Surveillance work is continued at the places where positive results have been reported in other species of birds excluding Poultry.
Compensation is paid to farmers whose poultry birds, eggs and poultry feed are culled/disposed of by the State as per the Action Plan. The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying , Government of India provides funds to states / UTs on a 50:50 sharing basis under ASCAD component of its LH & DC Scheme. The Government of Maharashtra has sanctioned a compensation package of Rs.130 Lakh for culling of poultry and other birds, eggs and poultry feed and operational cost of disease control within 1 km radius of the infected area, under the Bird Flu Disease Control Program.
All the States are reporting to the Department on daily basis regarding the control measures adopted by the States/UTs based on the Revised Action Plan for Prevention, Control and Containment of Avian Influenza 2021. The Department is taking continuous efforts to generate awareness about Avian through platforms including social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook handles.
Ministry of Defence
Offshore Security Coordination Committee holds its 135th meeting in Ahmedabad; Takes stock of the offshore security preparedness across the country
The 135th meeting of the Offshore Security Coordination Committee  was held at Ahmedabad on 01 Sep 2023, under the chairmanship of DG Rakesh Pal, Director General Indian Coast Guard. The committee reviewed the preparedness and effectiveness of the security of India’s offshore installations. The meeting was attended by representatives from various organizations including the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, ONGC, DGH, DG Shipping, MHA, MEA, and DRDO among others.
Constituted in 1978 to ensure the smooth and effective functioning of offshore security arrangements, OSCC is the apex policy-making body that meets every six months to review and evaluate offshore security in India.
Addressing the meeting, the chairman of the OSCC highlighted the Government’s initiatives of opening a substantial portion of EEZ and expansion of exploration and production activities in a bid to achieve self-sufficiency in the energy sector. DG Rakesh Pal underlined the importance of focused and sustained offshore security efforts for facilitating these activities in a safe and secure environment.
Highlighting the incident of stranded personnel onboard Jackup rig “Key Singapore” during Very Severe Cyclone Biparjoyat Okha, Gujarat in June this year, the Director General, Indian Coast Guard, lauded the efforts of rescue agencies especially ICG for safely evacuating 50 personnel in extremely adverse weather and stressed on having SOPs for safety of men and material onboard oil platforms during cyclonic weather.
Expressing concern over security challenges that emerged due to ongoing conflicts in various parts of the world, DG Rakesh Pal emphasized the need for modern technology such as anti-drone solutions in order to adapt to the evolving maritime threat environment and bolster offshore security efforts.
The chairman appreciated the prompt response of offshore security agencies in detecting the adrift derelict vessel ‘Al-Azher-1’ and subsequent efforts of ICG in averting any un-towards incident. It demonstrated the effectiveness of the functioning of OSCC as a forum, he said.
Ministry of Science & Technology
India’s first largest biotechnology conference Global Bio-India Summit, 2019 concludes
Secretary, DBT Dr. Renu Swarup says GBI to be turned into an annual event
India’s first largest biotechnology stakeholders conglomerate, - the Global Bio-India  Summit, 2019 concluded here today.
The three-day event was organized by the Department of Biotechnology , Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India along with its Public Sector Undertaking, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council . The associated partners for this event were Confederation of Indian Industry , Association of Biotechnology Led Enterprises  and Invest India.
In her remarks at the Closing Ceremony, Dr. Renu Swarup, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology & Chairperson BIRAC, said, going by the tremendous success of the mega event, the Department plans to turn the GBI into an annual event with support from all stakeholders.
Biotechnology is recognized as the sunrise sector- a key driver for contributing to India’s USD 5 Trillion economy target by 2025.
The Summit provided an opportunity to showcase the potential of India’s biotech sector to the international community, identify, create opportunities and deliberate on the key challenges in the areas of Bio-pharma, Bio-Agri, Bio-Industrial, Bio-Energy and Bio-Services and allied sectors.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Issuance of Soil Health Cards
Grid based soil testing methodology i.e. 2.5-hectare grid for irrigated areas and 10-hectare grid for rain fed areas was adopted initially  to assess the status of 12 soil health parameters viz. primary nutrients ; secondary nutrient ; micronutrients ; and physical parameters . Farm holding based soil testing was adopted for 6957 model villages  during 2019-20. Scientifically sound crop-wise Integrated Nutrient Management recommendations based on General Fertiliser Recommendations / Soil Test Crop Response  are provided to all the farmers in the country through Soil Health Cards to address nutrient deficiencies of the soil.
Soil testing labs are sanctioned as per requirement of state governments proposed in their annual action plan. So far, 11531 new labs  and strengthening of 829 labs have been sanctioned to the states.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Lok Sabha.